New Wilderness Board Game Appeals to Backpackers

Stuck in your tent during a downpour? Not to worry: Two North Carolina hiking aficionados have created a trail-ready wilderness-themed board game that’ll keep your hiking spirits up.

Using only a trail map, rocks and old love notes, John Isley and Jason Butler devised “Backcountry: The Game of Wilderness Survival Appalachian Trail Edition,” a game that parallels real-life backpacking obstacles, the Hendersonville Times-Newsreports. The pair conceptualized the game in 2007 but only began retail distribution this past August.

In terms of gameplay, “Backcountry” resembles the popular game “Life.” Players must navigate the trail, strategize food rations, prepare for survival hazards, and reach the end of the trail before other competitors.

“These moments in the game are a very exaggerated version of real life experiences in the backcountry,” Isley told the newspaper. “But it captures the nuance and fun of the back country experience without actually having to have blisters or falling in the river.”

The waterproof, tear-proof game board, cards, character pieces, and dice all fit into a zip pouch and the entire package weighs just 7 ounces.